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La Habra Applebee's restaurant review
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View of La Habra Applebee's from Imperial Highway at Town and Country.
Applebee's Honored American Veterans this Veteran's Day
Our daughter, Stephanie Doherty, told us about the Veteran’s Day promotion that Applebee’s was running so we decided it was the ideal opportunity to mix business with pleasure. We drove over to the Applebee’s in La Habra, which is on the edge of north Orange County. Normally, arriving at 2:40 PM for lunch should have meant immediate seating; it didn’t on Wednesday, Veteran’s Day. We had a waiting line that took 45 – 50 minutes for us to get seated because so many other veterans had come too for the free lunch.
It’s been awhile since we’ve been to an Applebee’s so we were eager to see if they’ve maintained their quality food and service. We were really pleased on every count.
The Restaurant Has Look and Feel of a Neighborhood Bar and Grill
First off, Applebee’s marketing tagline is, “It’s a whole new neighborhood.” Their décor fits that theme beautifully. Every Applebee’s has its own distinctive collection of posters, photographs, and other memorabilia. In general, it has a cozy type of clutter that gives a neighborly feel to it. This one has a wall with pictures of local high school sports competitions. Across from that wall is one with UCLA and USC memorabilia. The seating is mostly raised and wraps U-shaped around the bar area. There’s also an inner U-shaped seating area on the same level as the bar. The bar itself has tall bar stools around its U-shape.
I suspect that most of their beer, wine, margaritas, and cocktails, alcohol orders go to the tables in the restaurant instead of to the bar area itself. Though it lacks the darts and pool tables, I get a feeling of an American version of a neighborhood pub. While this Applebee’s has more windows than any pub I’ve been to, it has the warmth.
Warm, Friendly Staff Ensured We Felt Welcome
The host, Damon, and his assistants, including Emily, did a marvelous job of orchestrating that crowd. They were warm, friendly, and helpful. I was really pleased to see the general manager, Qaid Rangwalla, and his regional director, Billy Rosales, who was there to assist Mr. Rangwalla, both out on the floor checking with their patrons to ensure that everything went well.
Dorothy and I started out with Lemonade and water for her and fresh brewed iced tea and water for me. Our server, Joe, did a bang up job of keeping our drinks full. Not once did I have to ask for more tea, something I usually have to do. It was really good tea too.
Wonderful Variety of Appetizing Dishes for Lunch
We skipped the appetizers this time. I chose off the menu for Veterans because it had the regular-sized order of Oriental Chicken Salad, which I wanted. There were six selections as I recall including Fiesta Lime Chicken, Three-Cheese Chicken Penne, 7 oz. House Sirloin, and a Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger. Dorothy ordered from the lunch menu a relatively new Pick 'N Pair Lunch Combos where you can choose any two items from multiple choices under three headings: Simmering Soups, Sensational Salads, and Sandwiches and Pasta. They’re available Monday thru Friday until 3PM. She picked the half-sized order of Oriental Chicken Salad plus the half Applebee’s Reuben sandwich, a new item on the menu.
The Oriental Chicken Salad Is Refreshingly Delicious
We both love their Oriental Chicken Salad, which comes with fresh greens tossed in an Oriental vinaigrette and topped with crispy noodles, toasted almonds and crispy, golden fried chicken tenders. I forgot to order the grilled chicken breast instead of the breaded chicken tenders. I’m sure it’s because I really like the tenders. The Oriental viaigrette is definitely sweet with a hint of a tang.
Reuben Sandwich Was Wonderful, Absolutely Wonderful
I have a fond memory of a Reuben sandwich from New York that I enjoyed twenty years ago. Dorothy indulged my desire to taste her half Applebee’s Reuben sandwich. Wow! We both loved it! Despite my sensativity to bread and cheese, I almost ordered one to take home. Its flavor compared really well to that New York Reuben. In fact, I think it was better. The Reuben came with “thin-sliced corned beef brisket piled high and topped with sauerkraut and Russian dressing between slices of melted Swiss cheese on rye bread with pickle slices.” (This description comes from Applebee’s online menu.) We thought, until I read it, that the dressing was Thousand Island. I hope that Applebee’s keeps it on the menu.
If You Ate Lightly Enough for Lunch, You Can Treat Yourself to a Shooter for Dessert
We finished our meals with a dessert shooter each: Strawberry Cheesecake and the Hot Fudge Sundae. At this point, I decided to splurge and try the hot fudge sundae as I love ice cream and chocolate even when they don’t play nice in my system any more. Dorothy loved her cheesecake. I thought the thick melted fudge flowing down the side of my scoop of vanilla ice cream was delicious. These shooters made a perfect sized dessert when you want a taste, not another meal.
We Need an Applebee's or Two in Anaheim
I hope that they will expand into Anaheim as I’m sure many diners besides the loyal patrons of this La Habra Applebee’s would enjoy having one in their neighborhoods. This is a great place for dates and for visiting with family or friends over a pleasant meal. You might even enjoy a drink while watching a game together. In that case, try the appetizers. Though not reviewed on this visit, we remember their ribs fondly.
Thanks, Applebee's, for Treating Vets to a Free Meal
By the way, Damon told me today that when he left last night around 7:30, they had a 2 hour waiting line for dinner. Good show, Applebee’s. Thanks for treating America’s veterans so graciously. (They gave away only the meal for the vet off that special menu. Drinks, appetizers, and desserts were normal prices.)
If you are interested in other Grill + Bar restaurants in Anaheim and northern Orange County, please check out my other reviews.
Restaurant Reviewed
Applebee's
1238 West Imperial Highway
La Habra, CA 90631
P: (562) 690-0779
F: (526) 690-0140
Additional Information
It’s “8. Applebee's” on the column on the righthand side of the screen
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